Despite pressure from Jat leaders, Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Hooda and Union Minister, Ajit Singh, the issue of inclusion of Jats in central list of other backward castes for benefit of reservation in jobs is not likely to be settled before the Lok Sabha polls.

The Commission constituted for recommending castes to be included in the final list of other backward castes for benefit of reservation was in Catch-22, situation as it was under tremendous political pressure for submitting its report on reference made by Union Cabinet recommending inclusion of Jats in OBC list latest by mid February so that the notification could be issued before the schedule for Lok Sabha polls is announced.

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While the survey for identifying social, economical and educational status of Jats in Haryana, Rajsthan, MP and Uttar Pradesh will take at least six months, the Commission was virtually being bullied to submit report quickly and that too favorable one. Now the Commission has decided to hold public hearings on the issue in nine states to know arguments in favour and opposition and it will take couple of months.

This latest development according to political observers is a big blow to Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Ajit Singh, who were championing the issue with Manmohan Singh and at 10 Janpath. Hooda who is fast loosing grip among non-Jats, who were force behind him when he defeated Devilal from Rohtak Lok Sabha seat, was hoping to gain hold in old Rohtak area- the epicentre of Jat Politics, which once used to comprise Jhajjar and Sonipat districts also. From here, Deepender Hooda, son of Bhupinder Hooda contests Lok Sabha polls.

Jats have already threatened to intensify agitation by blocking all roads leading to Delhi from Haryana which encircles Delhi from three sides, if notification in this regard is not issued by the end of this month. On the other hand other backward castes are holding dharna at Jantar Mantar opposing the demand of Jats.

Earlier Jats have threatened to disrupt Republic Day parade in national capital and in Haryana. According to political observers it will be very difficult for Hooda and Ajit Singh to face Jats in coming elections.

According to sources close to political opponents of Hooda and Ajit Singh, top leaders of Congress have been briefed that the move will only personally benefit Hooda and Ajit Singh at the cost of loss to the party. It is learnt that that leadership have been told that Ajit Singh known for changing colour even putting chameleon to shame will not support the Congress after the polls. In Haryana it may help in the victory of Hooda and his son and victory on neighbouring Sonipat seat but the Congress will lose support of other backward castes not only in Haryana but across northern India.

During his tour of Haryana, Yogender Yadav, think-tank of Aam Aadmi Party who is reportedly planning to contest from Gurgaon Loksabha seat, having considerable population of other backward caste was grilled on this issue. Yadav argued that nationwide mechanism developed after a long and protracted discussion and mandated by Supreme Court by which such decisions need to be taken.

Yadav had further added that the courts have said that such decisions should not be arbitrary, should not be based only on the subjective perception of the government in power. The issue is already being debated.

The National Commission for Backward Classes is to take a decision on this issue. According to Yadav the only thing one should insist on is that the decision should be taken by a constitutional body following the strict standards that the courts of law have laid down and then whatever will be the decision, it should be accepted.